GB2602317A

GB2602317A - A wiring clamp

Info

Publication number: GB2602317A
Application number: GB2020471.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Fulcher Thomas
Original assignee: Airbus SAS
Current assignee: Airbus SAS
Priority date: 2020-12-23
Filing date: 2020-12-23
Publication date: 2022-06-29
Also published as: GB202020471D0

Abstract

A wiring clamp comprises an insert 2 having a substantially cylindrical body for mounting to a wire 12, and a clamp body 1 having an aperture (figure 1A, 4) through which the insert 2 can be received. The aperture (figure 1A, 4) is larger than the cylindrical body such that there is a clearance fit between them. This allows the insert 2 to move within the clamp body 1, protecting the wire 12 from damage and strain. The insert 2 may comprise flanged ends 8 9, where the outer diameter of the flanges 8 9 may be larger than the aperture (figure 1A, 4). A wire bracket (figure 4) is also disclosed comprising a plurality of apertures (figure 4, 24 25) and inserts (figure 4, 26 27). The wire clamp may be used in an aircraft to support a high-voltage cable, the clamp allowing for movement of aircraft components.

Description

A WIRING CLAMP

IECHNICAL FIELD

[000 I] The present invention relates to a wiring clamp In particular, it relates to a wiring clamp for holding high voltage wires.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Electrical wires and cables that provide power to components are often clamped to keep them in place and out of the way. However, when these wires are rated for high voltage, the size and thickness of the wire can increase significantly. Thicker, larger wires such as high voltage wires are referred to as cables. Wires and cables will be referredto herein interchangeably.

[0003] High voltage environments where there is also significant movement between components, for example in electric or hybrid vehicles, can prove to be particularly challenging Such an environment may be, for example, in an electric or hybrid aircraft, where power cables deliver power from a power source in one part of the aircraft to electric motors driving the engines.

[0004] In areas where there is a high level of movement, yet relatively small distances between components, it is crucial to clamp high voltage wires in place to avoid the wires chaffmg against the structure, which can cause damage to the wire and/or the structure over time. However, clamping high voltage cables has its own difficulties, and it can often cause high loads on one or more of the equipment interface, the areas of the structure near the clamping points, and the clamps themselves.

[0005] As such, improvements to wiring clamps that could help mitigate these problems

SUMMARY

[0006] A first aspect of the present invention provides a wiring clamp comprising an insert having a substantially cylindrical body for mounting to a wire; and a clamp body having an aperture through which the insert can be received, the aperture being larger than the cylindrical body such that there is a clearance fit between them.

[0007] As a result, the wiring clamp can hold wires and cables in place, and in particular can hold the weight of wires and cables, whilst also allowing for some movement of the wire or cable through the clamp. The clearance fit between the insert and the clamp body allows the insert to move freely within the clamp body. This can reduce chaffing on the wire itself against the clamp and any nearby structure or component, which could reduce the life of the wire, and could give rise to exposed wires. In addition, it can also reduce any stress or forces on the wire or clamp, which could give rise to damage to the clamp, or any nearby structure or components.

[0008] The cylindrical body may be longer than the width of the clamp body. As a result, the insert will have a degree of freedom to move through the aperture. The longer the cylindrical body is than the width of the clamp body, to more movement the insert will have.

[0009] The insert may comprise outwardly extending flanges at each end of the cylindrical body. As a result, the flanges can prevent the insert from sliding completely out from the clamp body, and ensures that only the insert contacts the inside of the aperture thus protecting wire from chaffing, [0010] The outer diameter of each of the flanges may be greater than the size of the aperture. Thus, it can be ensured that the flange will prevent the insert from sliding completely out from the clamp body.

[0011] When in use the insert may fit tightly to the wire, preventing movement between the wire and the insert. As a result, the wire is protected from any chaffing that may be caused by any relative movement between the insert and the wire.

[0012] The clamp body may comprise separable parts to allow the insert to be received into the aperture. As a result, it is easy to insert the insert into the clamp body, without requiring an awkward or complex threading operation.

[0013] The clamp body may further comprise a mounting interface for mounting the wiring clamp. As a result, the wiring clamp is able to be mounted in place in order to fix the wire in a desired place, for example to route the wire along a particular wiring pathway.

[0014] A second aspect of the invention provides a wiring bracket for holding multiple wires, the wiring bracket comprising the wiring clamp of any one of the preceding statements, wherein the wiring bracket comprises a plurality of inserts, and the clamp body has a plurality of apertures.

[0015] As a result, a number of wires or cables can be held in the bracket And each wire or cable can be held to reduce any chaffing between the wires or cables themselves, in addition to the benefits already described above in relation to the wiring clamp.

[0016] A third aspect of the invention provides an aircraft comprising a wiring clamp as claimed in any one of the earlier statements, the wiring clamp holding a high voltage wire, wherein the insert is fixed to the outside of the wire, and the insert is slidably held within the clamp body, such that the high voltage wire is held in place whilst also allowing for movement between aircraft components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [0018] Figure IA shows a clamp body, [0019] Figure 1B shows an insert; [0020] Figure 1C shows a wiring clamp comprising the insert of Figure 1B assembled into the clamp body of Figure 1A.

[0021] Figures 2A and 2B show alternative embodiments of a clamp body; [0022] Figures 3A, 3B and 3C show a wire clamped in the wiring clamp of Figure 1C; [0023] Figure 4 is a wiring bracket; and [0024] Figure 5 is an aircraft.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] Figure IA shows a clamp body I, and Figure 1B shows an insert 2 When assembled by placing the insert 2 into the clamp body 1, these components form a wiring clamp 3 as shown in Figure 1C [0026] The clamp body 1 has an aperture 4 which extends as a through-hole through the full width W of the clamp body 1. The size of the aperture is shown in Figure 1A as diameter A. The clamp body 1 has a mounting interface (not shown) which allows it to be mounted or fixed in place in a desired location. For example the mounting interface may be screw or bolt holes through which screw or bolts can be inserted. Other ways of mounting the clamp in place will be apparent. Alternatively, a clamp body may be formed as part of a larger component and therefore may not need to have an integrated mounting interface. For example, an alternative clamp body may form part of a wiring duct.

[0027] The insert 2 comprises a cylindrical body 7. The length L of the cylindrical body 7 is longer than the width W of the clamp body I. The cylindrical body 2 has an outer diameter B. The insert 2 also has flanges 8, 9 which extend outwards from the cylindrical body at each end of the cylindrical body 7. At the outmost edges of the flanges 8, 9 the insert 2 has an outer diameter C. [0028] The clamp body shown in Figure lA comprises separable parts 5, 6. The separable parts 5, 6 each define part of the aperture 4 such that when the separable parts 5, 6 are brought together, the full aperture 4 is formed However, when the separable parts 5, 6 are moved apart, this allows the insert 2 to be inserted into the aperture.

[0029] Figure 1C shows the wiring clamp 3 assembled with the insert 2 extending through the aperture 4 of the clamp body 1. Because the length L of the cylindrical body 7 of the insert 2 is longer than the width W of the clamp body 1, the insert 2 projects from the aperture 4 on both sides of the clamp body 1. The outer diameter B of the cylindrical body is smaller than the diameter A of the aperture 4 (A > B). There is therefore a clearance fit between the insert 2 and the clamp body 1 such that the insert 2 is able to freely slide within the clamp body 1. This will be described in more detail below.

[0030] The outer diameter C of the insert 2 at the outmost edges of the flanges 8, 9 is larger than the diameter A of the aperture 4 (A < C). As such, the flanges 8, 9 act to prevent the insert 2 from completely sliding out of the clamp body I. [0031] Figure 2A shows an embodiment of the clamp block 1. In this embodiment, the separable parts 5, 6 are completely separable, and the upper separable part 6 is removed from the lower separable part 5 by removing one part from the other as shown by the arrows D. This provides access to the inside of the aperture 4. As shown in Figure 2A, each of the separable parts 5, 6 define part of the aperture 4. When the upper separable part 6 is removed from the lower separable part 5, the insert can be placed into the part of the aperture defined by the lower separable part 5, and then the upper separable part 6 can be replaced back together to form the assembled clamp body 1 around the insert 2.

[0032] An alternative embodiment is shown in Figure 2B. In this alternative embodiment, the separable parts 5, 6 are connected by a hinge 10. In order to place the insert 2 inside the aperture, the separable parts 5, 6 are hinged open, as represented by arrow E. This partial separation allows the insert to be placed into a section of the aperture defined by one of the separable parts 5, 6, and then the separable parts 5, 6 can be closed back together to form the assembled clamp body 1 around the insert 2.

[0033] Figure 3A shows the wiring clamp 3 holding a wire 12. The insert 2 is fixed around the wire 12 such that there is a tight fit between the wire 12 and the insert This tight fit restricts any relative movement between the wire 12 and the insert 2, which prevents any rubbing or chaffing of the wire 12 by the insert 2 which could cause damage to the wire 12.

[0034] The clamp body 1 receives the insert 2 through its aperture. As described above, there is a clearance fit between the clamp body 1 and the insert 2 such that the insert 2 is able to slide through the aperture, as indicated by arrows F and G. By having the insert 2 fitted around the wire 12, it is the insert 2 that makes contact with and moves against the clamp body 1 and not the wire 12, which helps to further prevent any chaffing or damage occurring to the wire 12 itself.

[0035] If there are forces acting on the wire, for example if the wire is located in a high movement area of an aircraft, then the wiring clamp 1 allows movement to reduce the forces acting on both the wire and the wiring clamp. If a force acts on the wire that causes it to move in direction F, the wire 12 and the insert 2, which is tightly fitted to the wire, slide through the aperture of the clamp body 1. Figure 3B shows the configuration of the wire 12 and wiring clamp 1 after such a movement. If movement continued in this direction, then flange 8 would abut against the clamp body 1, and further movement beyond that point would be prevented.

[0036] Similarly, if a force acts on the wire that causes it to move in direction G, the wire 12 and the insert 2, which is tightly fitted to the wire, slide through the aperture of the clamp body 1. Figure 3C shows the configuration of the wire 12 and wiring clamp 1 after such a movement. If movement continued in this direction, then flange 9 would abut against the clamp body 1, and further movement beyond that point would be prevented.

[0037] Figure 4 shows a wiring bracket 20 which is holding two cables 21, 22 The wiring bracket comprises a clamp body 23 similar to the clamp body described in the wiring clamp above, except the clamp body has two apertures 24, 25. The wiring bracket 20 also comprises two inserts 26, 27. Insert 26 is fitted to cable 21, and is received through aperture 24. Insert 27 is fitted to cable 22 and is received through aperture 25. The wiring bracket 20 can be assembled and the inserts 26, 27 positioned inside the apertures 24, 25 in the same ways as described for the embodiments of the wiring clamps described above. Depending on requirements and the number of wires or cables to be held, a wiring bracket may comprise any number of apertures and inserts.

[0038] A wiring bracket 20 such as this effectively holds the weight of the cables, and keeps the cables separate from each other whilst also generally keeping them together in a group of cables. Keeping cables separated slightly through the wiring bracket helps to reduce chaffmg between cables, and by allowing each of the cables to move individually within the clamp body (by way of the inserts), this allows cables to move together but also by different amounts if necessary, to further reduce any chaffing between the cables, and also between the cables and the wiring bracket.

[0039] Figure 5 shows an aircraft 30 having a fuselage 32 and wings 33 Attached to the wings 33 are propulsion engines 34. Each propulsion engine 34 comprises a ducted fan driven by an electric motor housed within a nacelle 35. Each propulsion engine 34 is attached to the wing 33 by way of a pylon 36.

[0040] Electric power is provided to drive the electric motors from a power source, which for example may be one or more of a number of energy storage solutions such as batteries, hydrogen cells, or a hybrid power generating system. The power source in the present example is located in the fuselage 32 of the aircraft 30. However, alternatively, the power source could be provided in other parts of the aircraft, and may be split into more than one source and distributed across a number of different parts of the aircraft 30.

[0041] Electrical power is transferred from the power source to the electric motors in the propulsion engines 34 by way of high voltage electrical cables These high voltage cables are am from the power source in the fuselage 32, through the wings 33, and then pass through the pylons 36 into the nacelles 35 where they connect with the propulsion engines 34 One or more of the wiring clamps and wiring brackets described above are provided along the route that the cables take in order to hold the weight of these high voltage cables, and ensure the cables are kept in place to avoid rubbing and chaffing against each other and the surrounding structure of the aircraft [0042] It will be appreciated that an aircraft provides a significantly dynamic environment, with considerable relative movement between the different parts of the aircraft, for example flexing of the wings during taxiing and flight, and movement within transition areas such as the pylon between the wing and the propulsion engines. Use of the wiring clamps and brackets described above will also allow a degree of freedom for the cables to move as parts of the aircraft and equipment move, reducing any load or strain that may arise on the cables, wiring clamps and wiring brackets.

[0043] Although the invention has been described above with reference to one or more preferred examples or embodiments, it will be appreciated that various changes or modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. For example, the embodiments described above comprise a clamp body having separable parts, however it will be appreciated that the clamp body may not comprise separable parts. Alternatively, an insert without one or more of the flanges could be threaded through the aperture, and then a flange formed subsequently.

[0044] Although the invention has been described above mainly in the context of a fixed-wing aircraft application, it may also be advantageously applied to various other applications, including but not limited to applications on vehicles such as helicopters, drones, trains, automobiles and spacecraft.

[0045] Where the term "or" has been used in the preceding description, this term should be understood to mean -and/or", except where explicitly stated otherwise.

Claims

CLAIMS1 A wiring clamp comprising.an insert having a substantially cylindrical body for mounting to a wire; and a clamp body having an aperture through which the insert can be received, the aperture being larger than the cylindrical body such that there is a clearance fit between them.
2 A wiring clamp as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cylindrical body is longer than the width of the clamp body.
3. A wiring clamp as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the insert comprises outwardly extending flanges at each end of the cylindrical body.
4 A wiring clamp as claimed in claim 3, wherein the outer diameter of each of the flanges is greater than the size of the aperture.
A wiring clamp as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein when in use the insert fits tightly to the wire, preventing movement between the wire and the insert.
6. A wiring clamp as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the clamp body comprises separable parts to allow the insert to be received into the aperture.
7. A wiring clamp as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the clamp body further comprises a mounting interface for mounting the wiring clamp.
8 A wiring bracket for holding multiple wires, the wiring bracket comprising the wiring clamp of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the wiring bracket comprises a plurality of inserts, and the clamp body has a plurality of apertures.
9 An aircraft comprising a wiring clamp as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, the wiring clamp holding a high voltage wire, wherein the insert is fixed to the outside of the wire, and the insert is slidably held within the clamp body, such that the high voltage wire is held in place whilst also allowing for movement between aircraft components